Forthcoming Review: Himalayan Dog Chew

We took Andy on an outing to Petco yesterday and came across a product called a Himalayan Dog Chew. I read some good things about these all natural chews this past winter but never got around to actually ordering one. This is the first time I've come across them in a store, so, after some hemming and hawing (over the price!) I decided to pick one up. I'm intrigued by the products ingredients (yak/cow milk, salt, and lime) and the chew's back story - it's actually a cheese eaten by the people of the Himalayas. The Himalayan Dow Chews themselves are made by a consortium of farmers in Nepal. The chew is pretty hard and is suppose to be long lasting. Will let you know what Andy and I think!

*I gave Andy the chew last night, and as expected, he had absolutely no idea what to do with it! He's always flummoxed when I give him something new and it usually takes him some time to warm up to new edibles. The pup carried the chew around the loft, going up and down the stairs. He tried burying it in the couch, in both of the dog beds, and the human bed. He's never done this before! Obviously he thinks the chew is something worth concealing from others. I thought it was hilarious...until I saw his nose. He got a little OCD about trying to bury the chew and actually rubbed the bit of muzzle right above his nose raw trying to bury it. Sigh. I ended up taking the chew away and will give it back to him when his nose heals. In the meantime I'm keeping on eye on his wound and putting Neosporin on it twice a day. Never a dull moment with Andy.

Review | Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits

Cloud Star is a U.S. based company that manufactures all natural treats and grooming supplies for dogs. They also make treats for cats and have a line of "Wag More, Bark Less" branded items for sale. So far I've only really come across their Buddy Biscuits, which I've seen at both pet supply stores and big box retailers like Target. I recently purchased a box of Buddy Biscuits, Roasted Chicken flavor, for Andy. Two factors played into my decision to give this brand a try: first and foremost, the fact that the treats are made in the USA, "all natural" (no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives), and free of corn, yeast, sugar, salt, and soy. Second, I'll be honest here, I'm a sucker for nice packaging and I just really like the way Cloud Star has branded their products.

The biscuits themselves are shaped like ginger bread men - pretty darn cute! - but unfortunately they look nothing like the treat depicted on the front of the box itself as far as color is concerned. In fact, my first impression of the biscuits when I opened the box was that they looked rather pale and unappetizing. They're also devoid of any scent (which is really neither good or bad but made me wonder what sort of flavor the biscuits actually have). Well, I'm not one to judge a book by its cover so I knew the real test would be whether or not Andy liked them.  

Review | Blue Buffalo Health Bars

Andy's enjoyed Blue Buffalo's Health Bars ever since he was a wee pup. As I was shopping for supplies before we picked Andy up from the humane society I knew I wanted to get a treat of some sort that we could give him any time we left him alone in the loft. I figured if we could get Andy to associate our leaving him by himself with a positive experience (i.e. a special treat) we could help him work through any separation anxiety he might have. A little positive reinforcement can go a long way! Blue Buffalo Health Bars, or "Goodbye Cookies" as their known in our household, have been a staple ever since. I love that they don't contain fillers like corn and wheat, that they're full of whole grains and vegetables, are fortified with Omega 3 fatty acids, and are all natural (i.e. they contain no artificial colors or preservatives). Andy loves their generous size and crunch!   

Bully Sticks Are Made of What!?!

We had some friends over for dinner on Sunday and they were kind enough to bring Andy some treats, including a "bully stick." These things have been around for some time but I only started to notice them on the market the last 3 or 4 years. At first I only saw them at pet boutiques, where they were touted as a high-end treat or natural chew. Nowadays you can find bully sticks at most big box pet retailers. While I've read mostly positive things about them I myself have never wanted to purchase one because I've always been creeped out by the fact that bully sticks are nothing more than the dried penises of cows and buffalo. What the what!?! That's right, in case you didn't know, bully sticks (also known as pizzles...haha!) are made of dried penis. I know, I know - I should just get over it. It's just protein...and yet...it's the dried penis of an animal...and smells kind of funny to boot. Ew. In either case Andy certainly enjoyed chomping on this bully stick. It kept him thoroughly occupied for about 25 minutes. Bully sticks are all-natural and seem to satisfy Andy's urge to chew so I might consider buying one in the future as long as it's made from domestically sourced cow or buffalo penis. Ew.

PSA: Dog Jerky Recall

I normally reserve Fridays for more lighthearted fare but think this is important enough to post about today. In the continuing saga of chicken jerky treats for dogs manufactured in China, several companies (Nestle, makers of Waggin' Train and Canyon Creek Ranch brand dog treats, and Milo's Kitchen) are voluntarily recalling select products sold in the U.S. market because they may contain trace amounts of antibiotics that are not approved in the U.S. While these antibiotics have been approved in China and Europe, and according to these companies, pose no health risks to pets, the fact that these products made it on to U.S. shelves where the antibiotics are not approved is worrisome...I can't help but wonder what else is slipping in under the radar.

For years now, as a rule of thumb, I've only purchased dog/cat food and treats that are manufactured in the U.S., with domestically sourced ingredients. Of course edible pet products made state side are also regularly recalled but I personally feel better about feeding my boys treats and food items that have been manufactured closer to home, and one would hope, products that have been subject to closer inspection and oversight by the FDA. That being said, it's also important to keep in mind that not all pet products manufactured in the U.S. are created equal. I only purchase brands that use high quality protein, no animal byproducts, and no fillers or artificial ingredients or preservatives. A few excellent brands I trust include: Merrick, Wellness, Blue Buffalo, and Get Naked. 

Check out this Washington Post article for more information on the recall.

Antler Dog Chews

Antler (deer, elk, and moose) dog chews seem to be all the rage at the moment. They're marketed as all-natural and durable dog chews - great for teething puppies, aggressive chewers, and large dogs. I first came across them this summer and was immediately taken by their color and shape but passed at the time because of the price. After doing a little research online and reading about all the benefits of antler dog chews I decided to take advantage of Petco's Friends and Family Sale this past weekend and finally pick one up. This particular antler is from a company called Prairie Dog Antlers. All of their antlers are sourced in the U.S. and shed or harvested naturally. From what I've read online not all antlers are equal - they're graded by a number of criteria including, freshness, hardness, and whether or not they're cracked or chalky. Prairie Dog Antlers are all grade A or B, supposedly meaning they're the highest food grade antlers available (and yes, humans also consume antlers, usually in ground/pill form, or sliced to brew in teas and such). 

Why antlers? They're supposed to be a great alternative to traditional chews such as bones, hooves, raw-hides, and bullysticks. They're all-natural, odor-free, and mess-free. They're long-lasting, don't chip or splinter as bones are apt to,  and are a source of many beneficial minerals and nutrients, such as calcium, glucosamine, phosphorous,  and chondroitin - all great for your dog's bones, teeth and gums, and coat. Wow - If I didn't know better I'd think I'm a lobbyist for the antler industry or something! In any case, I did finally purchase an antler for Andy because he is such an aggressive chewer and I'm always on the look out for ways to keep him occupied. The antler pieces are sawed off a larger rack and come in a variety of shapes and sizes and appear to be priced according to size. I picked a nice medium-large sized piece for Andy.  I'll let you know what I think about it in a week or two.

Related Post:
Review | Prairie Dog Antler Dog Chew

Review | Blue Buffalo Mini Blue Bars Dog Biscuits

I'm always on the lookout for healthy, all-natural treats for Andy and Blue Buffalo's Mini Blue Bars Dog Biscuits fit the bill. These biscuits contain no animal by-product meals, no corn/wheat/soy (great for pups with allergies), and no artificial preservatives or flavors. They come in a variety of flavors: Blueberry/Yogurt, Banana/Yogurt, Apples/Yogurt, and Chicken/Cheddar - the first three are completely animal-product free and great for pups with sensitivities to proteins. The biscuits are bite-sized and crunchy and Andy always "sits pretty" with anticipation when he knows he's going to get one. 

The biscuits come in 8oz and 20oz bags and cost around $7.99 and $12.99 respectively. I found these on sale a couple of weeks back at Petco and picked up a 20oz bag of the Apples and Yogurt flavor for $10.39. I know that sounds like a lot to drop on a bag of dog biscuits, but really, when you do the math it's not that bad a deal when they're on sale. Because these treats are on the pricier side I tend to dole them out sparingly, 1-2 a day, and so far after 2 weeks we still have about half the bag left. I tend to rotate through different brands and types of treats, picking up whatever is on sale as long as it's manufactured in the USA and all-natural, and would definitely purchase these Mini Blue Bars again in the future.    

Patience

I always make Andy "sit pretty" before I give him a treat. He knows the drill. Sometimes he'll even go "sit pretty" on his own, next to the bowl of treats, and wait for me to notice him and give him a reward. Clever pup has me trained!

Look at him eyeballing that Get Naked Super Antioxidant Dog Treat...he sure is focused when there are treats involved! Get Naked Super Antioxidant Dog Treats are a great all-natural dental chew for pups. Check out my review of the product from July.

Review | Zoe Dental Chews

This has been a week of firsts! Not only did Andy pee like a big boy for the first time the other day, he finally encountered an edible item he does not like! I came across these dental chews from a brand called Zoe, which I had never heard of prior to this purchase, while browsing at T.J. Maxx last week. The brand is manufactured by a Canadian company called Hagen - though the product packaging says the chews themselves are made in the USA (?). I'm not gonna lie...I was drawn to the pretty packaging...but ultimately I decided to buy the dental chews for the following reasons: they're made in the USA, they're wheat/corn/soy-free, and they contain all natural ingredients and no artificial preservatives or dyes. At $4.99 for 8.1 oz of chews (approx. 10 small chews) the Zoe treats seemed like a good deal. There were 2 different kinds available; I picked up the "Antioxidant" ones, which are supposed to "support a healthy immune system."   

Pup Pizzah

Andy waits patiently for his Pup Pizzah treat. We picked up half a dozen of these delectable delights at the farmers market on Sunday from a local dog "barkery." Seems like "boutique" pet treats are all the rage. I imagine they're having a tough go at it in this economy. I'm not normally into "boutique" products like this, fancy cupcakes, gourmet biscuits, cookies, etc. for dogs, but I wanted to show my support for this local family business. This particular product was relatively inexpensive and Andy loves em!

The Pup Pizzah is made of garbanzo flour, skim milk ricotta, egg, and water (crust) + tomato paste, mozzarella, basil, and oregano (toppings). 

New Hardware for Andy

Andy's new harness (the Premier Gentle Leader Easy Walk Harness) is here! We're going to start test driving it today. I've already started doing some basic obedience with the pup using one of the training DVDs from K9 Living. In both instances, getting Andy comfortable with the new harness and with obedience training, I'm using treats to reward good behavior. 

Hotdogs were recommended by both the DVD and a coworker. According to Kathy Santo giving little pieces of hotdog, aka human food, to your pup in the context of training won't lead to begging at the table. My coworker's vet recommends low-fat hotdogs. I opted to pick up some mini Natural Balance Dog Food Rolls (Lamb Formula). I used to give Maxwell little slices as a treat and he loved them. They have a drier texture than a human sausage - more akin to a very dry salami - and they also have a strong (but delicious!) scent. I'm hoping Andy will respond well to them and be an obedient little pup. Wish us luck!

Review | Fruitables Pumpkin & Blueberry Dog Treats

I first came across fruitables dog treats at Wegmans - a regional grocery chain that happens to have a fantastic selection of dog and cat supplies. I had never heard of the Fruitables Pet Food brand prior to this purchase and did a little research online. It appears they only manufacture dog treats and food supplements at this time. According to their website their products are all natural (no artificial ingredients or preservatives), are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, and are calorie smart. Their crunchy treats (which is what I purchased) are free of wheat, corn, and soy, while their chewy treats are additionally gluten free. 

I ended up picking up a bag of Pumpkin & Blueberry Dog Treats (crunchy)

because I liked that the ingredient list was short and consisted of all natural and recognizable ingredients. The treats are bite-size, just right for rewarding good behavior, and shaped like flowers. The first thing I noticed when I opened the bag of treats was the smell - it was like fresh baked blueberry muffins! According to the brand website they aim to create products that are "a sensory experience for all...Combining taste, aroma, texture, and design to create an experience that is as pleasing for you as for your pet family member." 

Review | Natural Balance Healthy Bones Dog Treats

Natural Balance offers a wide range of high-quality products for both dogs and cats. Our experience with the brand has been primarily with their limited ingredient dog foods, their dog food rolls, and their dog biscuits. While I wasn't completely won over by their food I do purchase their rolls now and then and their biscuits quite regularly. This review is for their Healthy Bones with Lamb, Quinoa & Carrot Dog Treats.

These biscuits come in a variety of flavors but I tend to buy either the lamb (great if your pup is allergic to chicken or poultry in general) or the salmon (which is grain-free and great for pups with grain allergies). The biscuits are made with quality ingredients and include vitamin E and zinc - all great for Andy's skin and coat. They're also free of artificial flavors or colors.

Frozen Yogurt for Andy

I made a batch of the frozen yogurt treats I mentioned last week and they're a big hit with Andy. I already had peanut butter and honey at home so I only had to pick up a container of fat free plain yogurt and a bunch of bananas; of which I only used one. All told the treats cost about $2.50 to make - much cheaper than the pre-made frozen treats currently on the market. Using the recipe I shared I got a tray and half of treats (24 pieces total) and I still have enough yogurt to make a second batch.  

The treats are just the right size - small enough that Andy can usually finish one without dropping it on the floor (the photos above are from his first taste of a treat...he dropped it on the floor and gave it a curious sniff before greedily finishing it off). I'm planning on giving them to Andy as a reward for good behavior on a hot day or after a nice long walk. The one downside of freezing yogurt is that the process kills off the probiotics (healthy bacteria) naturally contained within, otherwise these make for some simple, healthy homemade treats.

Review | Carolina Prime Sweet Tater Fries Dog Treats

Products made from sweet potatoes are all the rage lately for both humans and canines. There are a number of brands that currently offer dehydrated sweet potatoes for dogs, in a variety of shapes and sizes, and in my opinion as long as they're made in the USA they are more or less the same. Sweet potatoes are a great source of dietary fiber and vitamin A. Dehydrated sweet potatoes for dogs have the added benefit of being chewy, making them fun to eat while also cleaning your pup's teeth.

I recently picked up a bag of sweet potatoes from a brand called Carolina Prime at my local PetSmart. This is actually our second bag. Andy goes into sweet potato bliss anytime I give him one so I'm pretty sure he approves (see photo above!). I love that Carolina Prime Sweet Tater Fries are all natural. The product contains nothing but dehydrated sweet potatoes - absolutely no additives or preservatives. The fries offer Andy variety in terms of flavor and texture. A great natural, fat-free, healthy snack!

Carolina Prime Sweet Tater Fries Dog Treats

Available at PetSmart

5 oz | $3.99 (I got then on sale for $2.99)

Guaranteed analysis below:

Homemade Frozen Yogurt for Pups

A neighbor recently shared this recipe for homemade "frozen yogurt" treats for dogs. It sounds simple, cost efficient, and delicious! I'm going to give it a go this weekend and will let you know what Andy thinks.  

Ingredients:

12 ounces of fat free plain yogurt

2 tablespoons of peanut butter

2 tablespoons of honey

1 banana

Instructions:

Blend banana, peanut butter, and honey  until smooth. Combine with yogurt. Distribute evenly into an ice cube tray. When completely frozen remove treats from ice cube tray and store in a freezer-safe plastic bag. 

Frozen Treats for Dogs at the Store

I've been seeing more and more frozen treats for dogs at pet supply and grocery stores as of late. At the grocery store I saw several options in the frozen food aisle, right next to the frozen treats for bipedal folk. At the pet supply store I saw a small freezer containing an assortment of frozen treats from the brand Freshpet; they're the folks that have the refrigerator units with "fresh" pet food popping up everywhere. The Freshpet items are packaged nicely but I don't think I'm ready to shell out $6.99 for 4, 3.5 oz cups of frozen yogurt when Andy would probably be just as happy with a plain old ice cube.

Summer Treat

Review | Get Naked Super Antioxidant Dog Treats

Get Naked brand dental chew sticks are a great choice for pups with allergies. The sticks are wheat free, corn free, soy free, and gluten free (but do contain chicken). This particular line is hocked as "super antioxidant," which I find a little gimmicky. The dental sticks are supposed to clean your pups teeth and freshen his breath as he chews through them. I do appreciate that the sticks are made with natural ingredients and that they don't have the chemical smell I've experienced with some other brands of dental chews.

Andy is able to finish off a small stick in under a minute, which leaves me questioning their teeth cleaning effectiveness. Now that Andy is full grown (30 pounds) the large are definitely a more appropriate size dental chew for him. Locally Petco is the only big-box pet supply store that seems to carry this line. It's a little on the pricey side at $7.99 for a package but worth the price if your pup is on a limited ingredient diet. On the plus side, I purchased this package at T.J. Maxx for $4.99. I don't think I'd pay retail for them but at $4.99 they're well worth it.

Get Naked Super Antioxidant Dog Treats

Available at Petco (and if you can find them, at T.J. Maxx)

Large | 6.6-Ounce, 6 sticks/Pack | $7.99
Small | 6.2-Ounce, 18 sticks/Pack | $7.99

I'm including ingredients and guaranteed analysis below: